Supply chain integration in broiler contract farming and business performance: Knowledge based view perspective

This concept paper aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge sharing practices within and between business partners as a framework for integration, and to examine the effect of these practices on business performance. Data will be collected from broiler contract industry in Malaysia.SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Sciences) will be used for data analysis. Three knowledge related constructs (internal knowledge integration, knowledge integration with growers, and knowledge integration with integrators) will be examined towards business performance.Further, these three variables collectively will explain relationship towards business performance.The relationships will be identified to support for the effectiveness of knowledge based collaboration. Managers can use this as a tool to conceptualize how their business can develop internal integration and collaborative relationships with their trading partners

Technology parks of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore: A critical discourse

The emergence of global scale competition is leading towards the development of new mechanisms to help countries to become more competitive and technology parks are the vehicle of choice to achieve that.Technology Parks offer modern infrastructure and integrated info-structure to promote research and technology development and commercialization for wealth creation and sustainable economic growth and Global Competitiveness.This paper discusses the position of technology parks in East Asia; elaborates on their role in today’s nation development, analytically examines three selected technology parks in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore using GCI Index 2015 and concludes that Technology parks have contributed to gross domestic product (GDP) growth, infrastructure development, knowledge community expansion, capacity building, and export production and distribution.However, optimum benefits of Technology Parks accrue when they are established and managed professionally in line with the best practices and all transactions are equitable, just, and transparent; the whole process must culminate trust nationally and internationally

Evaluating effective spare-parts inventory management for equipment reliability in manufacturing industries

The spare part management function is critical from an operational perspective especially in asset intensive industries such as refineries, chemical plants, paper mills, automotive manufacturing, and oil mills.Given the determinants like demand, unpredictability, part substitution, and tight control on spare parts inventory coupled with high service level expectations; the exigency of spare parts management in manufacturing operations cannot be underrated.In most organizations, a constant scrimmage persists over the stocking, ordering, and maintaining of products required by maintenance and operations. The Materials Management and Purchasing functions are often vied against Maintenance, Facilities, Engineering, and Operations with respect to; the number and types of stock keeping units, capital and critical spares, obsolete inventory, inventory investment, and turnover and program operation. This paper evaluates best practices in the Maintenance Repairs & Overhauls, discusses the ABC classification scheme, and elaborates on the role of maintenance storeroom as service provider

Prepotence of biowrap model for micro green energy: A case for biodiesel for rural communities

Dwindling fossil resources, such as petroleum oils and coal, and the over dependence on imported fuels has prompted countries to look for internal resources to meet escalating energy demands. Micro energy from biofuels is one of the viable renewable energy options new technologies provide that can transform the remote rural communities.This paper outlines Bio-WRAP model developed by the author and illustrates that the oil obtained from amenity plantings and riparian buffers, including coconut and oil palm, can be a sustainable alternative to diesel fuel.The paper concludes that biofuels are sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and biodiesel is a green energy source for agriculture, transport and power generation at micro level use in rural communities

Broiler industry with emphasis on short supply chain in Malaysia

Poultry is one of the fastest growing an agricultural sectors.The poultry industry provides meat that is preferred by almost all cultures, is affordable and of good quality. In Malaysia, the poultry farming business has been in existence for a long time.The sub sectors of this industry are major buyers, processors and suppliers of processed commodities to the retail sectors and the final consumer markets.These markets are exposed to various risks, including input-commodity price volatility, high capital requirements, the inherent business and climatic risks of the different sub sectors and various other challenges. These factors have a major impact on decision makers, from large to micro role players in the agricultural supply chain, especially in the feed and livestock markets. Restrictive factors currently being faced by broiler industry players in doing business, among others, include issues relating to infrastructure for feed manufacturers (the cost and competitiveness of doing business).A good infrastructure may assist with optimizing the feed industry at higher levels of operation.In recent years there has been a changed interest and a significant growth in alternatives to the conventional food supply chain which allow primary producers and consumers to connect in new and more direct ways through short supply chain.This study enhances the emerging knowledge base on this fast growing sector of the food industry and rural landscape and more specifically, examines how the sector might be encouraged and facilitated to grow further and provides findings on the current situation relating to the broiler industry

Understanding local content policy in Guyana’s Oil & Gas sector a critical overview

Local Content ensures that extractive industries in host countries benefit their citizens. Companies engage in local content development to gain the support from the host government and social license to operate from local communities that enables adherence to the planned timeline for project approvals; improve quality of supplies; reduce costs associated with delays in delivery; and reduce non-technical risk to the project. This paper construes the Pertinence of Local Content in Oil and Gas Sector, and earnestly analyzes Challenges in its Development, Implementation, and Monitoring. The paper illustrates that effective design, development, implementation and monitoring of local content policy can lead to theamelioration of the structural effects of Oil sector through: Increased value added; Increased employment generation; technology transfers, innovation, and social investments in capacity building and development of skills; Poverty Reduction; Enhanced entrepreneurial development; Improvements in local investment in the sector; and Increased contribution to GDP. The paper concludes that by creating ‘shared value’ Guyana can achieve its overall National Inclusive Economic Development and Green State Development Strategy Goals

The moderating effect of religiosity on the relationship between technology readiness and diffusion of electronic commerce

Developing states, following the theory of “the survival of the fittest”, are severely in need of building up their electronic commerce for their economic survival on the globe.Beside other challenges, developing states are lagging behind in terms of technology readiness (TR).Another leading factor, particularly within the practicing Muslim communities, could be the impact of religiosity that has been unanimously found playing an immense role in buyers’ buying attitude, judgment of product price and quality. Having an immense influence, it affects both intra-personally and interpersonally.Furthermore, religiosity shapes consumers’ mind-set, learning and life style and is also considered as one of the significant factors with regards to hi-tech innovations adoption. This paper puts light on the relevant and valuable perspectives: technology readiness, religiosity and diffusion of electronic commerce, in the perspective of Muslim majority developing countries. While contributing to the field of knowledge, the study highlights the importance of technology readiness and trust in the diffusion process of electronic commerce. Looking into the moderating effect of religiosity in this regard, it underlines the unique features (completeness, universality, ever-greenness and applicability) of Islam including the moderate approach of Islam, toward technologies including e-commerce, thus boosting up electronic commerce trade.While, possessing the practical, educational and theological implications, the study will be helpful to all the stakeholders including; prospective consumers, governmental concerned authorities and e-commerce global community

Diffusion of electronic commerce (B2C) in Oman through education sector -an analysis based on E.M. Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovations (DoI) 1995

Notwithstanding Sultanate of Oman is recently entitled as one of the fastest growing nations over the last 40 years among 135 states in the world and is grouped as the most developed and stable country in the region by the United Nations Development Program me, it ranks low in the list of electronic commerce (EC) practicing countries worldwide.Indeed, it is locals' attitude towards EC that has been resulting in country's lower position in the list states pursuing EC and not technological infrastructure.Addressing important factors effecting persuasion of business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce in Oman, this paper aims to uphold a thorough analysis by using E.M. Rogers's theory of diffusion of innovations (DoI) and come up with a proposed framework and valuable suggestions those will help diffusing EC within the Sultanate.In this regard, it is recommended that intellectuals including; academicians, scholars and students can play a vital role by conducting interpersonal communication across the community

Literature ratified knowledge based view of poultry supply chain integration concept

The evolution of relationships based on collaboration between business partners has become a fundamental subject of research in the area of supply chain management; including poultry supply chain integration.Study in this field has focused on a range of integration models.This study focuses on integration of systems, processes and strategy which is important for poultry supply chain business partners to recognize the benefits of closely associating supply to demand.One need to realize that these benefits are not easily achieved without constraints.A conclusion was made by proposing that ‘Knowledge Based View’ is a resource that can contribute value, towards knowledge generation, acquisition and application among members within and between organizations

Dry-ice blasting an optimal panacea for depurating welding robots of slag and spatter

Though MIG welding robots are extensively applied in the automotive assemblies ‘Spot Welding’ is the most common welding application found in the auto stamping assembly manufacturing.Every manufacturing process is subject to variations – with resistance welding, these include; part fit up, part thickness variations, misaligned electrodes, variations in coating materials or thickness, sealers, weld force variations, shunting, machine tooling degradation; and slag and spatter damage.All welding gun tips undergo wear; an elemental part of the process.Though adaptive resistance welding control automatically compensates to keep production and quality up to the levels needed as gun tips undergo wear so that the welds remain reliable; the system cannot compensate for deterioration caused by the slag and spatter on the part holding fixtures, sensors, and gun tips.To cleanse welding robots of slag and spatter, dry-ice blasting has proven to be an effective remedy. Presently, CO2 / dry ice blasting is being effectively used in a wide array of applications from heavy slag removal to delicate semiconductor and circuit board cleaning.This process can be used on-line without damaging equipment or requiring a machine "teardown".Unlike conventional toxic chemicals, high-pressure water blasting and abrasive grit blasting, CO2 / dry ice blasting uses dry ice particles in a high velocity air flow to remove contaminates from surfaces without the added costs and inconvenience of secondary waste treatment and disposal.This paper describes MIG and Spot welding process and analyses the slag and spatter formation during robotic welding of stamping assemblies; and concludes that the dry ice blasting process’s utility in cleansing of welding robots in auto stamping plant operations is paramount and exigen